BAPTISM OF THE LORD - January 10, 2021
The
Baptism marks a significant time for Jesus personally: he experiences his call
to mission, he is grasped by the spirit of God, he is recognized as the chosen
servant and Son. The Baptism also signals that a time of waiting has been
ended- waiting for the heavens to open, the outpouring of the spirit, the new
time of salvation. Jesus’ new beginning is God’s new beginning: through the
person of Jesus God will reach out to people in a new way. Whatever Jesus does
will be accomplished by the power of God’s Spirit in him. That is the
significance of his baptism. The Spirit that empowered Jesus to make his new
beginning is the same spirit that empowered us in our baptism. Few of us can
remember that moment; most of us were carried to the font, infants in the arms
of our parents and godparents. Our name was given to us, our commitment was
spoken for us, our future was promised to God. We spend our lives catching up
with our beginning, struggling to make good the large promises made on our
behalf. What started at our Christening needs to be validated by our personal
decisions. We have not left our baptism behind us; it faces us each day as
God’s expectation of us. Our Baptism is not the only time we are empowered by
the Spirit. The great medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas spoke of a new sending
in the Spirit”, times of grace when God enlivens people in special ways for
different tasks. The Spirit does not retire at our baptism; he is not shy about
helping adults. We should all pray for the sending of the Spirit, particularly
when we face change and important decisions. The Spirit of God is the power
behind new beginnings. If we are willing to begin, he is there to grace our new
venture in faith.
CHURCH WILL
REMAIN OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYERS:
During this lockdown we open the church for people of God to spend little time in prayer, keeping all safety protocols and only 10 people at a time in the church.
WEEKENDS: SATURDAY & SUNDAY (11 Am to 4 Pm.)
WEEKDAYS: TUESDAY & THURSDAY (11Am to 4Pm)
I sincerely appreciate all our volunteers (Lisa Hyginus and crew) ever willing to contribute their time and service. Thank you very much God bless you always!
“Lockdown” - December- 2020
We want to thank all the parishioners of ST. DOMINIC for their ongoing support during this period of great uncertainty. It has been wonderful to see so many of you at Mass since we re-opened in June. We are especially grateful to the volunteers who have helped ensure our church is a safe place to gather – they have done incredible work!
As you know, the number of new COVID-19 cases in the Greater Toronto Area have increased significantly in recent days and, at present, the entire province is in the “Lockdown Stage” as identified by the Province of Ontario. In addition, Premier Ford announced on December 26 2020 special emergency measures that need to be taken in our area.
For this reason Sadly, due to these measures, public Masses are temporarily cancelled. Priests will continue to celebrate private Mass daily for the intentions of parishioners and for those suffering from Covid-19.
Sadly, it is not possible for our parish to remain open at this time in a way that is safe and able to control the restricted number of people permitted in the building.
While I recognize it is not a substitute for attending Mass in person, I encourage you to view online/livestream/televised Masses. A full list is available at St. Dominic church Website, St. Dominic church YouTube Channel , Instagram- diasfatherterry. or www.archtoronto.org.
Also, all non-essential meetings in the parish will move to virtual meetings or they may be postponed. Our staff will also be working remotely in large part wherever possible
Dear people of God .
At a time like this I feel uncomfortable to talk about giving. Our primary concern is health and well being of our parishioners. However, No doubt you are aware that our Parish relies on the support of our Parish members for the upkeep of the Church. Kindly support us with the donations (weekly offerings) . Thank you for your great help during this challenging time! God bless you all!
We recognize these measures are extremely challenging. I am also so incredibly grateful for the efforts of our heroic volunteers who have been faithfully welcoming parishioners and cleaning the church between services, ensuring that we can operate safely and responsibly. Your selflessness and generosity is inspiring!
So many of the faithful rely on the reception of the sacraments and our churches to find solace, peace and support during this period of pandemic. Despite these new restrictions, we will make every effort to continue our outreach to you. We also ask that you find opportunities to assist those who are vulnerable or alone among us.
We will continue to update you as the situation evolves. (refer to parish website or social media channels if appropriate) We pray that you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy. May God continue to bless you now and always!
SUNDAY MASS:
As public masses are cancelled weekend Mass will be still live-streamed every Sunday at 10 am in our Parish Website and YouTube page. You can also watch the mass later in the day. If you can, please consider dropping off your church donations in the mailbox, newly installed at Atwater Ave Church entrance door .
POPE FRANCIS’S PRAYER TO MARY :
O Mary, you shine continuously in our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the sick. At the foot of the cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to confirm ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us , through the cross, to the joy of the Ressurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas-we who are put to the test-and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Dear people of God .
At a time like this I feel uncomfortable to talk about giving. Our primary concern is health and well being of our parishioners. However, No doubt you are aware that our Parish relies on the support of our Parish members for the upkeep of the Church. Kindly support us with the donations (weekly offerings) . Thank you for your great help during this challenging time! God bless you all!
REST IN PEACE | |
+ Durval Medeiros | + Alfanso Cotoia |
+ John Lopes | + Hilda Ipekian |
+ Isidro Viveiros | + Antonina Fortun |
+ Monica Samson | + Nesta Pougnet |
+ Mihajlo Kvansi | + Maria Raposo |
+ Delna Dusome + Choo Minge + Alda Alves + Nancy + Joe Bator + Theadore +Lorna Siquico + Joseph Di Biasi +Pauline Linda | + Vasvalri Belane + Olga Bugere + Jose Rocha + Daniel Harold Maclennan + Sidalia Pereira + Alda D"mello + Neuza Moira + Renato Antonio |
| |
PAUL CANTLON | PATRICIA GONANO |
SHWETHA | KATHERINE |
ANGELO GULLA | MATHEW WHITLEY |
DOMENIC SANTAGUIDA | BUD RADECZY |
MARIANA WEGLINSKI | MARGHARITA PISCIONE |
FRANCA METCALFE | LISA O’BRIEN |
JESSY FERNANDES | WILLIAM NEIL |
TERESA | JOE ROCHA |
JULIANA | PETER ARANY |
SANIYA & FRANCESCO | JAMES MEDGE |
CHRISTA FEUERSTAK PAULINE LINDA FRANCA MUFFOLINI GUS MacEACHEN | ANNA JOSEPHINE DE BIASI JULIANA DIAS |
Please call the office to pick up your Envelope Boxes.
OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am —12 noon. 1pm — 4.30pm .Please call the parish office before you arrive.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for all your support and cooperation. I sincerely thank our YouTube mass Team. Sean for providing music and technical support. Joshua, Larissa Freddy And Farrell Gonsalves for their assistance with the liturgy. Our Parish Council Members Lisa Hyginus and Branca Noronha may contact you at this difficult time just to make sure you are ok. We are here to serve you and will address any issues to the best of our ability! God bless!
